Saugeen Shores facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saugeen Shores
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| Town of Saugeen Shores | |
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Old Town Hall, Southampton, ON
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 Saugeen Shores
Location in Bruce County
Saugeen Shores
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| County | Bruce |
| Settled | ca. 1849 |
| Formed | 1998 |
| Area | |
| • Land | 170.19 km2 (65.71 sq mi) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 15,908 |
| • Density | 93.5/km2 (242/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Postal Code |
N0H
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| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
Saugeen Shores is a town in Bruce County, Ontario, Canada. It was formed in 1998 by joining the towns of Southampton and Port Elgin, along with parts of Burgoyne and the North Bruce area.
In 2021, about 15,908 people lived here. The main jobs in Saugeen Shores are farming, small businesses, tourism, and working at the Bruce Power nuclear power station. During the summer, the population doubles because many cottagers and campers visit the area. The town has beautiful beaches on Lake Huron, close to MacGregor Point Provincial Park.
Contents
History of Saugeen Shores
The name "Saugeen" comes from the word Zaagiing in the language of the Chippewas of Saugeen Ojibway Territory. It means "at the river's outlet" or "at the mouth of the river."
Port Elgin's Early Days
Europeans first settled the area now known as Port Elgin in 1849. Lachlan McLean built a small cabin and lived there through the winter. For several years, he ran a tavern for settlers and sailors. In 1852, George Butchart built a dam and a saw-mill on Mill Creek.
Later, Benjamin Shantz bought the mill and built a grist-mill. Within three years, about 250 people lived around these mills. Stores, hotels, and tanneries were built. In 1857, a village called Port Elgin was officially planned. Businessmen like Henry Hilker helped the community grow. By 1867, over 600 people lived there. The railway arrived in 1872, helping products from Port Elgin travel further. Port Elgin became an official village in 1874 with about 950 people.
Southampton's Beginnings
Southampton was founded in 1848 by Captains John Spence and William Kennedy. Fishing and trade by boat were very important because there were no good roads yet. The town's name was changed from Saugeen in 1858.
The Chantry Island Lightstation Tower was finished in 1859. It helped guide sailors safely around dangerous underwater rocks. Southampton became an official town in 1904, with a population of 2,400. Its economy included furniture factories and sawmills. The town built a hospital in 1947 and a library in 1956.
Forming Saugeen Shores
On January 30, 1998, the government combined the towns of Southampton and Port Elgin with Saugeen Township. They first called it the Town of Port Elgin-Saugeen-Southampton. On December 17, 1998, the name was changed to the Town of Saugeen Shores.
The Chippewas of the Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation have a land claim for islands in the Saugeen River. This claim also includes lands along the north side of the river and the shoreline around the Bruce Peninsula.
Population Information
Saugeen Shores has grown over the years. In 2021, the population was 15,908 people. This was a 16% increase from 2016. The town covers about 170.19 square kilometers of land.
Many people in Saugeen Shores speak English. In 2021, about 89.3% of people spoke English as their first language. A smaller number, about 1.5%, spoke French.
Economy and Jobs
The main ways people earn money in Saugeen Shores are through farming, small businesses, making electricity, and tourism. The town has seen new stores open recently, like Walmart and Canadian Tire.
The town wants Saugeen Shores to be a great place for families, retirees, and businesses. A group called the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) was formed in 2017. This group helps plan how to improve the town's economy and create more jobs.
A very important employer is the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Tiverton, Ontario. It started a big project in 2016 to update its facilities. This project will create many jobs and bring a lot of money into Ontario's economy. Many of the people who work at Bruce Power live in Saugeen Shores.
Farming in Saugeen Shores
Farming has been important in this area for a long time. Farmers raise beef and dairy cattle, and hogs. Over a third of Ontario's beef industry is in Bruce County. Much of the land in Saugeen Shores is good for growing crops. Local farms also sell fresh produce directly to people in the area.
Small Businesses
Southampton has many small shops, restaurants, and gift stores. Port Elgin's main street also has various shops, restaurants, and grocery stores.
The Port Elgin Business Park offers space for industrial and commercial businesses. Companies in transportation, fuel, and technology are located here. The town's offices, police department, and library headquarters are also in this park.
Electricity Generation
Bruce Power is the biggest employer in Saugeen Shores. It runs the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station. This provides many skilled and well-paying jobs. More than a third of its 3,500 employees live in Saugeen Shores. This makes Bruce Power a key part of the town's economy.
Tourism and Fun Activities
The long, sandy beaches attract many families who rent or own cottages. The beaches on the Lake Huron shore face west, so they are famous for amazing sunsets over the water. Cottage Life magazine even called it one of the "10 Spectacular Places to Watch a Sunset in Ontario."
Visitors also enjoy Port Elgin's busy harbour and Southampton's peaceful Chantry Island. The Saugeen River flows through the countryside. Many people visit Saugeen Shores in the summer. The local population more than doubles, which helps local businesses.
Fun things to do include:
- Tours of the Chantry Island Imperial Lighthouse.
- Visiting the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.
- Walking, running, and cycling on local trails.
The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre teaches about local history. It has displays, old artifacts, and records. It also offers programs for kids and special events, especially in summer.
The Chantry Island lighthouse in Southampton was finished in 1859. The tower and the keeper's home have been fixed up. From late May to mid-September, you can take a boat tour to the island. The island is a bird sanctuary, so you can only visit with a tour.
Three other lighthouses are protected as heritage sites: McNab Point and the Front and Rear Range lights at the Saugeen River.
People who visit Port Elgin often recommend MacGregor Point Provincial Park. They also like the Saugeen Rail Trail for walking and cycling. There are also several golf courses nearby.
In Southampton, popular attractions include the Southampton Board Walk along the lake. The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre and the Southampton Art School and Gallery are also highly rated. You can also go canoeing or kayaking on the Saugeen River.
Saugeen Rail Trail
After the railways stopped using the tracks, volunteers formed the Saugeen RailTrail Association in 1990. They worked to turn the old railway beds into trails for walking and cycling. The trail connects Southampton and Port Elgin. It also links to the Bruce County Trail Network, which goes to other towns like Paisley and Kincardine.
You can get on the trail at River Street in Port Elgin. There are other access points in both towns, some with parking. The trail is used for cross-country skiing in winter, even though it's not specially prepared.
Education
Schools in Saugeen Shores are managed by the Bluewater District School Board. These include École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School, Saugeen District Senior School, Northport Elementary School, St. Joseph School, and G.C. Huston. There are also private schools like the Port Elgin Montessori School.
Retirement Living
Saugeen Shores has places for seniors to live, including retirement homes and nursing homes. There are also programs that help elderly residents get support at home.
The town has many groups and clubs for seniors. These include the Hampton Court Retirement Lodge in Southampton and Kingsway Arms at Elgin Lodge in Port Elgin. Social activities for seniors are available at PARC 55+ in Port Elgin and the Chantry Senior Centre in Southampton.
Places of Worship
Churches
There are nineteen churches in the area, representing most major Christian groups. They serve the spiritual needs of the community.
Mosques
Saugeen Shores has one mosque located at the Maple Square Mall in Port Elgin.
Recreation and Sports
- The Rail Trail is popular for walking, cycling, jogging, and snowshoeing. More trails are being built.
- There are many trails for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and ATVs in Bruce and Grey Counties. The Bruce Trail also runs through the scenic Bruce Peninsula.
- MacGregor Point Provincial Park is open all year for camping, hiking, swimming, and watching wildlife. In winter, you can camp in yurts, ski, hike, or go skating.
- The Saugeen River is 102 kilometers long and is popular for canoeing and kayaking.
- Lake Huron has salmon, trout, and whitefish for fishing. The Chantry Chinook Classic Salmon Derby is held every summer.
- Saugeen Shores is great for boating. The main harbor has 274 slips for sailboats and powerboats.
- The town has five golf courses, over 15 tennis courts, fitness centers, a public pool, and two arenas. There is also a skate park and a BMX track. Many organized sports are available.
Arts, Culture, and Heritage
- Saugeen Shores has two theatre groups: Performing Arts of Saugeen Shores (PASS) and Bruce County Playhouse.
- Pumpkinfest is a big event held the first weekend of October, attracting over 60,000 visitors.
- In September, the Canadian Big Band Celebration features music from the Big Band Era.
- The Southampton Art School is one of Ontario's oldest art schools. Since 1957, thousands of students have taken classes there from May to October.
- The Shoreline Artists' annual Studio Tour lets you visit local artists' workspaces. The Annual Southampton Craft Show in July features many vendors.
- Musicians can attend the week-long Southampton Summer Music Camp.
- Saugeen Shores has three public library branches. One is in Southampton, one in Port Elgin, and the Bruce County Public Library Headquarters is between them.
- The Municipal Heritage Committee works to protect the community's history. They have a "Heritage Property Plaque Program" and self-guided historic walking tours. The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre holds old records and artifacts. The Chantry Island keepers' house and gardens have been restored for tours.
Notable People from Saugeen Shores
- John Bell (explorer): He was a fur trader and explorer for the Hudson's Bay Company. After he retired in 1860, he farmed in Saugeen Township until he passed away.
- Robert Hanbidge: A lawyer and politician from the area, he became the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan in 1963.
- David Milne: A famous artist, he was born in Burgoyne. He taught school in the area before moving to New York in 1903 to study art. Many of his paintings are in the National Gallery of Canada.
Images for kids
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Old Town Hall, Southampton, ON
